Electric switch.



J. A. OSB ORN.

ELECTRIC SWITCH. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 1, 1911. 1,1 594 Patented Sept. 1, 191% UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

aosngn A.FOSBO-R1\T, or ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR to AMERICAN can AND FOUNDRY coiurnivY, or sit. LOUIS, MISSOURI, A CORPORATION or NEW JERSEY.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

Specification. of Letters Iatent.

Patented Sept. 1 1914.

Application filed June 1, 1911. Serial N0. 630,705.

the invention, though it is to be understood that the invention is not li-m'ted to the exact details of construction shown and described, as it is obvious that various modifications thereof will occur to persons skilled in the art.

In said drawingsz Figure 1 is a side elevational new of a switch constructed 1n accordance with the HIVCIltLOIl, the protecting hood therefor being illustrated in transverse section. Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but showing the electroties-connecting member moved into connecting position, parts of the protecting hood being broken away for the saving of space. Fig. 3 is an end elevational view of the switch illustrating the supporting medium therefor in transverse section and Fig. l is a top plan view of the switch, the protecting hood being illustrated in section.

The inventlon relates to an electric switch adapted particularly to be used in connec-' tion with the operation of lmnd-o-perated electric welding tools, such as-are illustrated in my prior patents, 1,042,467 and 1,042,468,

dated Oct. 29, 1912.

The object of the invention is to provide a switch of simple, substantial and properly insulated construction so formed as to be readily carried upon the handle of the weld ing tool in such a position as to be subject to convenient operation by the hand of the op erator at any time during his use of the tool. A further object is to provide for the ready removal of the electrodes when worn or damaged.

With these and other. objects in view the invention comprises a base plate 1, integral with which are formed two pairs of depending legs, as 2 and 3. The pairs are disposed relatively at opposite ends of the base plate 1, and the two comprising each pair are spaced apart so as to straddle the handle of the tool to which the device is applied and the lower ends of each pair are connected together by suitable bolts 4, provided'with nuts 5, adapted for squeezingthe legs against opposite sides of the tool handle for retaining the switch in a fixed position.

A wall 6, is formed integral with and upstands from, the base plate 1, at the forward end thereof, that is, the end of said base plate, adjacent the hand-grip of the tool, from whence the pair of legs 2 depend. The

and projects beyond the outer longitudinal edges thereof, and said extended portions are formed at their ends each with a vertically disposed groove 7, which grooves combine to form a pocket into which is fitted an insulating member 8. The member 8, extends from one of the grooves 7, to the other and is adapted to be readily lifted from the pocket formed by said grooves when occasion requires. I

The entire upper surface of the base plate is covered by an insulating plate 9, and the lower edge of the insulating member 8, is. adapted to rest preferably upon the upper surface of the insulating plate 9. Fixed to the rear face of the insulating member 8, is a pair of electrodes as 10 and 11, spaced apart and thoroughly insulated from each other by a section of insulation 12, formed integral with, or fixed to the face of the insulating member 8. v

Each of the electrodes 10 and 11 comprise a rectangular piece of conductive material at the lower end of which is formed a laterally projecting'ear l3 and 14;, respectively, adapted for attaching conductors for supplying the electric current'to the switch.

The rear faces of the electrodes 10 and 11, are disposed in the same vertical plane, and the rear face of the insulating section 12 is projected beyond the adjacent faces of the electrodes 10 and 11, so as to eifectually prevent unintentional passage of current from one electrodeinto the other.

The electrodes-cont]ecting member as 15,

'65 wall 6', extends transversely of the base plate is slidably mounted upon the upper surface fortmed' with a thumb-grip 20, w 10 the, pair of; egs, 2, and at its u it may? formandcontinuous from one of the links 17 to the other and bears evenly againstthe the insulating member 8. Atth'eir forward ends the'links 17 are pivotally connected to the upper end of an operating lever 18 by a transversely extending shaft 18. The lever 18,- is pivotally connected at its lower end, as at 19 to the bolt at the lower end of per end is 10b. in use,

is adapted to harid-griikof the handle of the tool so that,

draw

jngjthe electrodes-connectmg' member into contact with the electrodes. The connection between the links 17 and the insulating plate, 16' may be' of, any aproved form" u't'. preferably comprises a ife-ba'r'21 fixed to" the rearendsof' thel edge'ofthe' knife-bar is uni-:

' rear surface of the insulating plate 16.

"The link's'extend through a ertures 2.?r-22 tur'es formed in-opposite ends of the knifei bar, and a suitable adjusting nut as 23, is

'inthe'in'sulatin'g plate 16, an through aperfixed tothe end of'each of the links for reftiaini'hg the'knife-bar.

wz-vgUpon the forward side vofthe insulating p1ate16,each.of the'lin'ks is H adjustable-nut 24, formed with a convex'sun I face adapted toengag'e a correspondingly concaved portion of the face-of-said insn-- l'ating member. ".Theapertures 22 are sufiiciently large to ermit of a rocking motion; of" thelinks wit out affecting the vertical, position of the member 16;

, Ajprotecting cover '25, rectangular in.

shape isfixe'd to the under-side of'the base: platel, by 'smtable nuts as at 26, and eX- tends upwardl uponthe opposite sides of the'switch an .acrb'ss the top thereof so as, to" avoid {all danger to the operator.

. Y A tension spring 27, engages the operating leverf18',-' and is so arranged as to ma ntami the electrodes-connecting member normally spaced away from the'electrodes' I A suitable .fiber washer 28, is arranged" about the forward end of each of the links 17 soas to cushion thereturn of the operating lever.

ears- 134 and -14 The conductors as 28 and 29 lead to the respectively preferably through suit'abl" a}pertures as 30, formed'in the unde'r side ft eprotecting cover-25. 6 v From: the fpregoi'lig-itwill be understood that when the'thumbrip '20, is depressed into contact with the electrodes 10 and 11, whereupon the electric current will be free to pass from the conductor'28 into the electrode 11, and through the electrodes-connecting member 15, into the electrode 10, and

Y thence into the return conductor 29.

project into proximity with the.

*convenien'tly manipulated for e spring 27 the elec-z ed to project between saidcontacts, a pivot-' ally mounted lever ad'acent said handle, a link paralleling said ase, and connecting said lever with said movable member, Whereby the contact extensions of said member may be drawn into contact with said electrodes. v

2. In an-electric switch, a base late, an insulating" plate thereon, a pair of e ectrodes supported upon said insulating plate, an in.- sulating member between said electrodes extending therebeyond to form a current jump-guard, a slidably mounted member adapted for electrically connecting'said electrodes, a air of links embracingsaid electrodes an parallel with said base connected with said member, a de ending lug formed uponjsaid base plate, a" evegpivotally supported u on said lug and eln'g connectedwith sai links; andathu b-grip formed uponsaiIlever for operating said lever and I moving said electrodes-connecting member. Y S. In an. electric-switch, a base plate, a pair of electrodes supported upon said base, plate, a,-'pocket adapted for removably retainingsaidelectro es,-=an insulating memberbetween said pocket and said electrodes, means for-electrically connecting said electrodes, and means extending through. said. insulating member adapted for operating said last mentioned means. p

"4:. In an electric switch, a base plate, a pair of electrodes supported upon said base late, an upstanding wall formed upon'said ase plate comprising a 'ocket adapted for removably retaining said electrodes, an insulatin member between said will and said electro es and being fixed to said electrodes and engaging said vpocket, means "for electrically ,connecting said electrodes, and means extending-through said insulating member and through said wall adapted for operating said last mentioned means.

5. In an electric switch, a base plate, a

:pair ofelectrodes supported uponsaid base plate, a member adapted for electrically connecting said electrodes, said member being movably supported upon said base plate, an insulating member fixed to said electrodes-connecting member, a knife-bar engaging said insulating member, and meansfixed to said knife-bar extending through said insulating member adapted for m0ving said electrodes-connecting member into contact with said electrodes.

6. In an electric switch, a base plate, a pair of electrodes supported upon said base plate, an upstanding wall formed upon said base plate comprising a pocket adapted forremovably retaining said electrodes, an insulating member between saidwall and said electrodes and being fixed to said electrodes and engaging said pocket, a member adapted for electrically connecting said electrodes, an insulating member fixed to said electrodes-connecting member, a knife-bar engaging said insulating memben'and means fixedto said knife-bar extending through said insulating member and through said wall adapted for moving said electrodesconnecting member into contact with said electrodes.

7. In an electric switch, a base plate, an insulatingplate on said base plate, an insulating front plate, a wall projecting from said base plate,ex'tensions therefrom embracing and retaining said front plate, a pair of electrodes disposed at the back of said front plate and supported on said insulating plate, an insulating member forming a part of said .front plate separating said electrodes and projecting therebeyond to form a current jump-guard, a rear insulating plate movable on the insulating plate on the base plate relative to said electrodes, and an electrode connecting member disposed at the front face of said rear plate and movable therewith to contact electrically with said electrodes and to embrace said guard.

8. In an electric switch, an insulating base plate, an insulating front'plate, a pair of electrodes disposed at the back of said front plate and mounted upon said base plate, an insulating member projecting rearwardly from said front plate beyond and separating said electrodes, a rear insulating plate movable on said base plate relative to said electrodes, an electrode connecting'member disposed at the front face of said rear plate and movable therewith to contact electrically with said electrodes, said electrode having a recess adapted to contain part of said 111- sulating member, constituting means for centering said connecting member on said electrodes.

9. In a welding device, a handle, a base plate, members depending therefrom secured to said handle, a wall upstanding from said base plate having spaced apertures therein, a pair of stationary electrodes mounted on said base plate, secured to said Wall and insulated from both and from each other, a movable electrode connecting member also mounted and insulated from said base plate a manually controlled lever carried by said handle, and spaced apart links on opposite sides thereof passing through said apertures and each forming a connection between said le er and movable member whereby the actuation of said. lever will bring said movable member-into contact with both of said electrodes.

It witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two witnesses.

JOSEPH A. OSBORN.

W itnesses Geo. lVM. BROWN, YvoNNn DU GUAY. 

